Ham and Scamorza Cheese Savory Pie

The ham and scamorza cheese savory pie is a simple and tasty dish, perfect for a quick meal or for a buffet. Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 ready-to-use puff pastry or shortcrust pastry roll
• 150 g of sliced cooked ham
• 200 g of smoked scamorza cheese
• 3 eggs
• 100 ml of fresh cream (or milk, if you prefer a lighter version)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Nutmeg (optional)
• Extra virgin olive oil or butter for greasing the pan
• Breadcrumbs (if necessary, to sprinkle the pan)

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C (356 °F). Grease a round baking pan with a bit of oil or butter, and if you like, sprinkle it with some breadcrumbs. This will help to prevent the base from sticking and will add a pleasant crunchiness.
2. Roll out the puff pastry or shortcrust pastry in the pan, making sure it sticks well to the edges and prick the bottom with a fork to prevent it from puffing up during baking.
3. Cut the smoked scamorza into cubes and scatter the cubes on the bottom of the pastry.
4. Add the slices of cooked ham over the scamorza, either breaking them into pieces or leaving them whole, according to your preference.
5. In a bowl, beat the eggs with the cream. Season with salt, pepper, and a grating of nutmeg if you like.
6. Pour the egg and cream mixture over the ham and scamorza base.
7. Bake the savory pie and cook for about 30-35 minutes or until the surface is golden brown and the frittata is well set.
8. Once cooked, let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

Fun Facts

In Italy, the savory pie is also known as “torta rustica” and the recipes vary greatly from region to region. Versions can include various types of cheeses and cured meats. Serving a savory pie is a perfect way to recycle leftovers in the refrigerator and can be enriched with vegetables if you want a more colorful and nutritious version.